Page 90 of Consumed By You
Days go by after that painful night.
Before I know it, it’s beenmonths.
I barely notice Labor Day pass. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Poof. They’re gone in a blur.
Sitting on a bench at my former job, I gaze off into my empty glass on the counter, mindlessly twirling another vodka soda in my hands. The bar is quiet now; it’s past midnight. There is only one couple in the corner, obviously on a first date. I envy them. They look happy and young. They have everything ahead of them.
The possibilities…
“We’re going out tomorrow night,” a distant voice from the other side of the bar says, and I roll my eyes.
“Kevin, I really can’t.”
He has his hands on his hips, and I know I should be fearing him right now. He means business. “No, no, no. I’m not putting up with this shit anymore! It’s been nearly four months and all you do is sulk!”
“No, I don’t!” I protest, although I know he’s probably right. “I’m just tired all the time, Kev. I want to sleep.”
“Bullshit. I’m staging an intervention.” He plops down on the adjacent bar stool with a thump. “You’re seriously too kickass to sulk over a man this long. I understand you loved him and things ended badly, but tomorrow, I’m taking you to a club.”
My eyes expand in horror. “No! No way!”
“Yes way, and you’re lucky I’m doing this for you! It’s against my religion to go to any club that isn’t filled with half-naked gay men everywhere. So be freaking happy!”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter, glaring at him.
He laughs and continues cleaning the glasses. “You’ll love me tomorrow. Just wait, baby.”
***
Kevin is pounding relentlessly on my door. “You better be ready or I swear I’ll—”
I yank open the door wearing a dress, the first I’ve worn in months. Kevin obviously approves because he jumps up and down excitedly.
“Holy fuck, now that’s an outfit!” He whistles, spinning me.
Despite my reluctance to go out, a large smile grows on my face. That’s the good thing about Kev. He can make even the saddest person smile.
“You look great too.”
He checks himself out in my mirror and regards himself appreciatively. “I know, right? I just got the shirt today.” It’s blue and long-sleeved due to the chilly winter weather. The jacket over it is black and probably costs thousands of dollars. Kevin likes the good things in life. With his good looks and sweet skill of tongue, he can gather the tips to afford such a lifestyle.
“Let’s go!” He claps his hands together.
I take one last look at myself in the mirror and sigh. The dress is short and black, but altogether pretty conservative compared to what I used to wear at the bar. I barely wore any makeup today, not wanting to have it dripping down my face, but red lipstick was a must.
Kevin snatches my hand after I put on a coat and gasps. “You finally did your nails! I’m so proud.”
I glare at him, retracting my red-polished nails.
“You love me.” He grins and opens my front door.
I try to prepare myself for what’s about to be my night.
***
“Taxi!” Kevin shouts, stepping to the edge of the curb with his hand up. I gawk when a yellow cab drives up and parks in front of us.
How does he do that?
